Citroen's price list will skyrocket into the rarefied air above $100,000 when the C6 luxury sedan arrives in October. The two-model C6 range will be topped by a turbodiesel version priced at $103,500, almost twice the price of the next Citroen model, the $55,990 C5.

But buyers of the six-figure Citroen C6 will still have to pay extra for an electric glass roof ($2000) and satellite navigation ($4000).

The C6 prestige sedan has been on sale in Europe since early 2005, and was originally slated for an early 2006 arrival in Australia. It is based on the sleek and striking C6 Lignage concept car shown at the 1999 Geneva motor show and effectively takes over from the $84,500 XM hatch which was withdrawn from sale in Australia in 2000.

Citroen says the C6 - the car of choice for French president Jacques Chirac - emphasises sophistication and appeal, and "sets new standards for design, comfort, refinement and the use of the latest technology".

It has also been rated the safest car in the world by independent crash testing body EuroNCAP. The C6 was awarded a full five stars for occupant protection, and is the only car to achieve four stars for pedestrian safety. The latter is due to the bonnet which 'pops' when a pedestrian strike occurs to create a cushioning effect.

The 4.9m C6 gives Citroen a direct competitor for executive sedans like the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-class, though it's unlikely that consumers will consider the quirky French brand in the same breath as its more established prestige rivals.

More likely, says Citroen, the C6 will been seen as a "refreshing alternative to the sea of Teutonic badges".

Two engines will be offered to move the 1800kg Citroen C6, each mated to a six-speed automatic transmission; a 155kW, 3.0-litre petrol V6 and a 140kW, 2.7-litre twin-turbocharged diesel.

The C6 will offer a new generation of Citroen's hydro-pnuematic suspension which is said to not only maintain the vehicle's ride height irrespective of the number of occupants onboard, but also vary the springs and dampers to emphasise ride comfort or handling as desired.